Phoemela Baranda
Underneath the glam
By Pia Lorraine V. Yater
From different career ventures, frenzied mishaps and sizzling controversies a woman coated with glamour bares it all, exuding grace under pressure even at the most crashing intrigues or heart-pumping stunts.
Host and Model Phoemela Baranda, Glam Goddess to many is not just sugar, spice and everything nice. She’s a gladiator and a goddess rolled into one.
Phem as usually called by her colleagues in the industry is the beautiful face that serves the latest entertainment news every night on TV Patrol and every Sunday afternoon on The Buzz. But before being the mature and focused star news patroller that she is now her world took a complete turn around after stepping down into the modeling pedestal.
Her first walk into the glamorous world of modeling was when she was 13 years old when she was chosen as one of the models for the Pink Soda Club, then the rest is history, there was no stopping Phem in making a name for herself in the modeling industry. She appeared in numerous commercials and endorsed variety of products.
“I’m proud that I was able to crossover from being a model to a showbiz host,” she claimed as she relates her humble beginnings on a totally different field than what she was accustomed since. “From chic clothing and runway stints, I am now being mentored by the best hosts in the industry with the likes of Kris Aquino and Boy Abunda,” shared by Phem.
“It was a tremendous adjustment for me, considering na magkaiba ang discipline ng modeling at hosting. In a business kasi where everybody is talented and everybody is pretty, you have to always come up with something new, rediscover yourself in another light, that’s where I can fuse in what modeling has really taught me, aside from being beautiful you have to show some flair,” she enthused.
Phem is now on her fifth year as a TV host but she refuses to be stereotyped as just the host, she intends to take further studies so she’d be able to write her own stories. “This is still part of my efforts to reinvent myself, acquiring new skills would keep the element of surprise, which is a necessity in this kind of industry,” the supermodel turned host said.
Fear is not a Factor
The sexy and alluring Phem has graced the covers of myriad magazines and billboards. But Phem doesn’t want to be identified as just a mere celebrity she deems that there is more beneath her face and body. Her sugarcoating is not all what you can get. More than being attractive, Phem is also a strong lad eager to flaunt what she got.
Aside from developing new skills and innovating herself, Phem took a major decision that again – surprised everyone. Her glamorous face was unmasked as she billed with other adventure seekers on the pinoy version of Fear Factor.
“I was always boxed as serious, formal, glamorous and mature so I can say that Fear Factor showed the other side of Phem. Hindi naman ako lagi naka make-up, natural beauty is still the best.”
Even though Phem only stayed in Argentina after the third elimination, the stunts she was able to pull through was enough testament than being born with brushes and stilettos doesn’t mean she’s faint-hearted. “Atleast napatunayan kong hindi ako lalamya-lamya,” she shared while laughing heartily.
“Uy Phem matapang ka pala,” she beamed while recounting the reaction that she got from the viewers of the program. “Joining Fear Factor was really the highlight of my 2008,” she added.
The Star Shine Down
Looking back, it was supposedly the height of Phem’s hosting career when she was bombarded with troubles.
Phem bagged the coveted Extra Challenge host against other recognized finalist such as Joanna Pesa, a former beauty queen; Josephine Canonizado, a host and also a former beauty queen; and Ethel Booba, a comedienne. This success is an authentication of her innate hosting prowess but fate turned against her. She suffered intrigues and gossips one after the other that led to her termination as a host at the said program.
“We’ll never know when the storm would hit our direction, but I remained firm and strong, its really how you rise up to the situation,” the words that parted her mouth as she narrate how her life was changed by the incident. “In retrospect, whew! I am just glad I surpassed that crisis,” shared by Phem.
Up and ready for more
“When ABS-CBN gave my career a second chance, I knew what I had to do, I need to be better in my craft and I will not let this opportunity be wasted,” she explained with pride for being a part of the news and current affairs of ABS-CBN.
“Life indeed taught me a lot of valuable lessons and to inspire all the women out there so to speak let me impart these life-saving essentials that I learned along the way, Live a healthy lifestyle, little balance of everything, always discover something new, look and stay good for the right reasons, be happy and reward yourself from time to time,” she stressed.
When asked about her life at the moment all she left was “my heart is happy, my family is blessed and my career is flourishing but still yearning for more improvement, who knows I might be a full time actress next.”
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